At first look, I didn’t really see any major differences to the home jerseys, but I like the road jerseys. Both are semi-retro jerseys that are a tribute to the 1961 uniforms.

That is outfielder Denard Spanin the home white and pitcher Scott Baker in the road uniform.

I love the colors of the Twins. Dark blue and red with white or gray. My favorite colors of any Minnesota team.

College Basketball

I am watching an ESPN Classic game from Nov. 9th, 2000. Kansas vs. UCLA played at MSG with lineups filled with future NBA players.

For Kansas: Kirk Hinrich, Nick Collison, and Drew Gooden,

For UCLA: Earl Watson, Jason Kapoano, Matt Barnes, and Dan Gadzuric.

Watching just a part of that game got me thinking about the depth of the those teams and of the top teams of this season. Look at the top eight teams in this seasons ESPN/USA Today poll. What do you see? Teams that can easily go eight or nine deep.

Kansas – We all know about Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry. But in the Morris twins, Brady Morningstar and Tyshawn Taylor ( and others), this team has a lot of players who played meaning minutes.

Michigan State – This years Spartans exemplify the saying: “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” But they still have a go-to guy in Kalin Lucas – the Big Ten player of the year.

Texas – The Longhorns not only have depth, but they have senior leadership. In Justin Mason, Damion James, and Dexter Pittman – who is set for a breakout season. Plus they have a killer freshmen class highlighted by Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton.

UNC – The Champs have six players 6’8″ or taller and all of them should see playing time. Plus they have Will Graves, Larry Drew, and Marcus Ginyard.

Kentucky – Some guy named John Wall.

Villanova – They are guard heavy led by Scottie Reynolds, and the Corey’s – stoke and Fischer. Plus Duke transfer Taylor King adds fire power.

Purdue – Do not forget about the Boilermakers. Robbie Hummel, E’Twuan Moore , Chris Kramer, JuJuan Jackson, Keaton Grant, Lewis Jackson, plus a talented freshmen class. PS – Out of all the players on the Purdue roster, only 3 are not from Indiana.

Duke – Lead by Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, and Nolan Smith. This years Blue Devils has more height in the Plumlee brothers, both are 6’10”, Brian Zoubek at 7’1″, and Ryan Kelly at 6’10” and they have freshmen Andre Dawkins.

Most every team would survive an injury to a major player (minus the backcourts of UNC and Duke and the frontcourt with Villanova), and that is what has separated the good teams from the great teams.

Every team needs them. Every team wants them. These players typically do not average a ton of points, but can score when they are needed and step up when his team needs a boost.

They dive on the floor, grab the important rebound or make the defensive play to save the game. Their teams win or loose depending on how these players play.

There are many players who are in the double-double category, but I will highlight some players who do little bit of everything with less name recognition. The players can be hard to label – i.e. small forward, power forward, shooting guard, etc. – but no matter what you call them, they get the job done.

The All-Do Everything Team

Tyler Smith, Tennessee

Smith is the heart and soul of Bruce Pearl’s struggling Volunteer team, but times would be even more difficult without the Iowa transfer. Smith is the team’s leading scorer averaging 17.8 ppg and is one of only three players who gets more than four rebounds a game with 6.1 rpg.

In the last four game against; Kansas, Gonzaga, Georgia and Kentucky, Smith averaged 35 minutes a game. Pearl turns to the 6’7″ junior late in games when the team needs a basketball, which is the only time the coach calls set plays.

Smith recorded the only triple-double – 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – this season against everyone’s favorite punching bag UNC Ashville.

Danny Green, North Carolina

The Tarheels lose at Wake Forrest could have been much worse if not for Green. But the senior guard was making plays all over the court and finished with 22 points, six rebounds and five steals.

The 6’6″ defensive hound has a solid stat-line this season; 13.2 points, 4.5 rebound, 3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks a game. Plus he is shooting 47 percent from the three point line and is a career 83 percent shooter from the foul line.

Unlike Smith, Green rarely gets an offense plays run for him, but he always around the ball. Green always knows how and where to find open spaces on the floor and he has a quick trigger from deep.

Evan Turner, Ohio State

After playing a supporting role last season, sophomore Turner is now the leader on this young Buckeye team and he has stepped-up his game to fill the role.

In a nationally televised game against then ranked No. 7 Notre Dame, Turner broke out with 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and played all 40 minutes.

Turner has always been a solid defensive player, but his offensive numbers have improved with more shots. Turner increased his scoring from 8.5 points a game last season to 15.7 this season. He has gotten better defensively, the 6’7″ long-armed winger is averaging 2.3 take-aways a game, up one steal from last season.

Robbie Hummel, Purdue

At 6’8″ Hummel is the leading rebounder in the Big-Ten. Enough said. Well, almost enough.

Hummel also leads the Boilermakers in scoring with 14 points a game. But like everyone on this list, he helps out in every way possible. Hummel averages 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals a game while shooting 40 percent from distance.

Hummel is not just a “scorer”, he is an extremely efficient shooter. He shoots 87 percent from the foul line and 48 percent from the floor. Of his conference leading 7.9 rebounds a game, two a game are on the offensive end.

Terrence Williams, Louisville

The super athletic Williams, is the leader of the Louisville Cardinal team that seems to have righted the ship. Williams is the Cardinal leader with 9.3 rebounds and five assist per game – that is two more assists a game than any other Louisville player.

Williams is more of a scorer than a shooter, he does not shoot a high percentage. Williams is one of the best finishers in the country and he gets a lot of his buckets using a combo of strength and jumping ability. He is able to shot over shorter defenders and going around bigger opponents.

Williams leads the Cardinals in rebounding, assists, steals, and turnover to assists ratio (2.4:1) and is third in points. Even though Williams is a thief on the court, he has not fouled out of a game all season and has only committed four fouls once.

Kyle Singler, Duke

Singler is the busiest player wearing a Blue Devils uniform. Coach K asks him to be everywhere at every moment. From setting screens to offensive rebounding, from shooting three’s to guarding post players.

Singler is does not have the efficiency of others on this list, but like of these players, he finds ways to contribute.

Singler leads Duke in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game but he has been struggling this season from the perimeter.

Sam Young, Pittsburgh

I have not seen Young much this season, but I do know that he is playing at a high level after having a slow start. While he currently is not in the top five in any major statistical category, Young does lead the Panthers in scoring with 18.4 ppg.

Young is a difficult match-up for most team because he is such a strong player, who never looks rushed. He uses his athleticism to create and make difficult shots, and is a career 49 percent shooter from the field.

Chase Budinger, Arizona

Budinger is one of my favorite players in college basketball. Why, you ask. He rarely looks uncomfortable on the court and is very capable of finding shots is the nature flow of the Wildcat offense.

Like many of the players on this list, Budinger is a tremendous leaper, but his all around game is more refined. He shoots 44 percent from distance, 48 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line.

Budinger was considered a lottery pick out of high school and while his draft status may have dropped, he should prove to be an asset to an NBA team.

Da’Juan Summers, Georgetown

At 6’8″ and 236 pounds, Summers is a major physical presence and ever since his arrival at Georgetown, his production has increased.

His freshmen year, Summers averaged 9.5 points a game, shot 42 percent from the floor and 33 percent from distance. so far this season, he is scoring 15.5 points a fame, shooting 54 percent from the floor and 44 from distance.

Summers is the leader of a balanced Hoyas team and sets the tone for this young squad. While not as athletic as Young or Williams, he is an over powering player and a tough defender.